Should you always take into account the value when doing home improvements?

louisa_84

For example, spending a few £1000's landscaping a large garden, laying decking etc because thats what you want, despite the fact it unlikely to add any (or the equivalent to what you spend) value to the property.

Would you take it into account even if you plan to live at the property for the minimum of the next 20 years? (im aware the best laid plans sometimes have to change though)

(sorry if this is the wrong forum)

domcastro

If you plan to live there long time - then do what you want. Seemingly the cost of conservatories is more than the value it adds on.

BitterAndTwisted

No. Never. Just do to the property that which will make happiest. If you're concerned about spending cash then spend it in a way that does not devalue it. Landscaping and decking and things of that sort can be easily undone if it doesn't suit a new owner. More radical things which you may choose to do with the structure and layout by customising a property could make it less attractive because it may be costly to reverse if necessary.

DominicJ_2

Yes
But value is subjective.
What do *you* value more, the selling price in 20 years time, or the enjoyment over the next 20 years.

LittleMissAspie

Have it how you want it. You wouldn't expect to get your money back on a nice holiday, you enjoy it for what it was. So go get your garden done, sit in it and enjoy it

sirmosh

Unless you're planning to sell in the near future just make your house the way you want it, it's impossible to say how much improvements will affect the value of the house. For example if you put in a kitchen your buyer loves they may see that as thousands they won't have to spend that they'll be happy to pay you, but many buyers will look at the property itself rather than the fixtures and see even the nicest kitchen as adding almost no value.

When it comes to major work like extensions I would say only do it if you're going to stay in that house for a long time as I see many properties on the same street, one extended and one not, go for almost the same price.

louisa_84

Thanks, you are confirming my opinion. We bought this house as a family home for us and our 3 children to grow in, not as an investment. Its perfect for our needs, not only the house, but the location and the surrounds (nice park for the kids, old trees for them to climb, etc) only, there are some things i would like, such as a garden sorted for family BBQ's with a laid out area for seating separate from the football playing part, a fireplace installed to make winters eves that bit more cosy etc. But, my partner thinks we should do it "cheaper", like lay paving instead of decking, so end product is similar, but cheaper, so we dont "loose the money" spending it. i see it as spending it on what i want, seeing as we plan to stay there until the children have finished education atleast.


I think he is just being tight lol.

Thrugelmir

louisa_84 wrote: »

I think he is just being tight lol.

Not everyone is a decking fan......... myself included.

Like bathrooms, like kitchens all down to personal taste.

Your purchaser may well redesign the garden for their own purposes.

louisa_84

Oh no, he likes the look of decking, providing its done well and upkeep is done etc, he just doesnt like the size of the quotes we have had for getting it done

duchy

It's either just a house ....or it's a family home BUT it's not much of a home if there's lots of arguments about money so sometimes you need to compromise or do the work at a slower pace.

poppysarah

louisa_84 wrote: »

family BBQ's with a laid out area for seating

But, my partner thinks we should do it "cheaper", like lay paving instead of decking, so end product is similar, but cheaper, so we dont "loose the money" spending it. i see it as spending it on what i want, seeing as we plan to stay there until the children have finished education atleast.


I think he is just being tight lol.

Decking is vile if you don't look after it. It's a rat haven too.

Whilst paving might be cheaper I suspect it's not. It's longer lasting, takes less maintenance and looks nicer imo.

There are some LOVELY paving options out there - natural stone and fake stone in natural effects.

Go spend a few weekends looking at all the options in local garden centres.

Visit friends who have decking and see how gross it looks at this time of year and how slippy it is.